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Volkswagen is accused of—and has admitted to—circumventing the emissions control system in about 482,000 vehicles sold in the United States since 2008 with the 2.0-liter diesel engine. As many as 11 million vehicles worldwide may be affected.

In mid-September, the EPA issued a notice of violation to Volkswagen AG, Audi AG, and Volkswagen Group of America (collectively VW) for failure to comply with Clean Air Act regulations.

As you navigate the mall parking lots during this holiday season, you may think that squeezing into an open space will be your biggest challenge. Think again. That’s because parking lots are not only rife with car accidents, but they are where most mall-related crime occurs. Drivers and walkers navigating the lot are vulnerable to being hit by cars and falling prey to theft. Also, unattended vehicles loaded with packages are open invitations for break-ins.

An all-new name kick starts the growing crossover lineup with the 2017 Cadillac XT5. Replacing the dated SRX, the XT5 claims a slightly larger size with reduced weight. In the sea of Cadillac reinvention, the XT5 will have the 3.6-liter V6 engine found in the Cadillac ATS, CTS, and CT6 sedans, while also employing start/stop technology to achieve better fuel consumption. An eight-speed automatic transmission is standard, as well as an electronically controlled transmission shifter.

A recently released study on rear-facing child car seats may inadvertently be sending the wrong message to parents. The study’s results, while meaningful to improving the overall safety of car seats, look at just one small piece of the puzzle, possibly causing some parents to jump to conclusions.

Simply put: Rear-facing car seats are still the safest way for young kids to ride in a car.

Cooler weather means another riding season is drawing to a close in northern regions, for all but the most hardcore motorcycle riders. And unless you count yourself as part of that hearty group, now is the time to think about proper winter storage for your bike.

Want to hear something spooky? Halloween tricks typically start before the holiday, and your car is not immune from that mischief.

Every October, goblins, ghouls, and even zombies prowl the night and “trick” cars. But these cars aren’t tricked out, they’re hit with broken eggs, Silly String, or smashed pumpkins. If left on the paint for a period of time, this nasty mess can cause permanent stains that are not only unsightly but can lower your vehicle’s resale value.

Fall is here and its arrival means fewer hours of daylight and upcoming holiday travel. Before hitting the road, it is a wise idea to make sure your vehicle’s lights are in proper working order, says the non-profit Car Care Council.

“Lights play a critical role in safe driving, as the chance of an accident increases if you can’t see or be seen,” said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council.

Getting your vehicle ready for winter while temperatures are still mild is a proactive approach to preventive maintenance that helps ensure safety, reliability and fewer unexpected repairs when severe winter weather strikes. Whether you do it yourself or take your car to a professional service technician, the non-profit Car Care Council recommends 10 basic maintenance procedures to keep your vehicle operating at its best.

Tires. Every car has them. Although they can often be neglected, it is hard to overstate the importance of caring for the only part of the car that actually touches the road. As we have been seeing with our treadwear testing, tires may not live up to their advertised promise for total tread life. But there are some simple things that car owners can do to ensure their tire go the distance…